The Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Youth, which offers young people with talent and ambition a helping hand with the costs of their dedication, has made a total of eight awards to young people from across Cornwall totalling £7,845.

Two of the young people to benefit from the latest round of awards received their cheques in person at a presentation ceremony with Lady Mary Holborow.

Ben King, a 16-year old musician from Camborne, who was awarded £400 to help with the costs of travel and expenses associated with taking part in a band camp at Easter in Bromsgrove. Ben attends Camborne Science and Community College and is a member of the Camborne Youth Band, the Camborne B' Band, and earlier this year was accepted into the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain as 2nd Baritone. Ben said: "The funding from the Lord Lieutenant's Fund is helping me get the training and development I need from the national youth brass band and is the first step to becoming a professional musician."

Thomas Riley, 14 from Saltash, was the other recipient. He has been playing basketball with the Tamar Valley Cannons Club in Plymouth since the age of eight and has progressed from playing at club to regional level, and now competes on a national stage after joining the England Squad for boys born in 1992. Thomas has received £500 towards travel, training and competition expenses.

Lady Mary said: "There is a lack of facilities down here for young people to progress in their sports to a level where they are selected for national squads, when financial assistance usually starts. It is really hard for parents to pick up the cost and these youngsters are the tip of the iceberg in needing help."

Other who received awards but who were unable to attend the presentation ceremony were: Joel Bricknell, 13 from Falmouth is currently ranked number 6 in English National Junior Squash and has been awarded £1,600 to assist towards the costs associated with competing, training and equipment. Currently studying for his GCSEs at Falmouth School, Joel won the England under 11 Junior Open Squash title in Sheffield last year and represents both the County and South West regional squad at the under-13 level.

Rosie Chapman, 19 from Hayle, is a promising young yachtswoman. Her ambition is to represent Great Britain in the women's single handed sailing at the 2012 Olympic Games. A grant of £750 from The Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Youth will help toward extra coaching, equipment and costs associated with competing at international events.

Laureen Hodge, 14 from Camborne, plays the cornet with Camborne Youth Band and has been awarded a grant of £80 to enable her to attend the Wessex Band Summer School to improve her cornet playing, learn new styles of music and techniques.

Sophie Hunt, 16 from Falmouth, has received a grant of £1,000 towards purchasing an oboe ahead of starting A'level studies in music and music performance at Truro College next year. Sophie is the lead oboist in the Cornwall Youth Orchestra and her ambition is to become a professional oboist and performer. Funding from The Lieutenant's Fund for Youth, along with other charitable foundations, will enable Sophie to buy an oboe of the correct specification for her requirements.

Darrell Johnston, 17 from St Austell has won a three-year scholarship to attend the National Ballet School in Manchester, starting in September, after which he hopes to become a professional dancer. The £3,000 grant from The Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Youth will help towards the £6,000 a year maintenance costs associated with studying at the ballet school. Darrell began dance lessons at the age of four and has been a member of the Duchy Ballet since the age of ten.

Luke Tamblyn, 17 from St Austell is a member of the Olympic talent BMX Team and is hoping to progress onto the Olympic Development Programme for the London 2012 Olympics. Currently studying web design at St Austell College, Luke has an impressive record of achievements including South West, Regional, National and British Champion and a World Champion finalist. A grant of £500 from The Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Youth will help towards the costs of for travelling to and taking part in training sessions and competitions.